Schneider excited about role as Canucks top goalie

By MONTE STEWART The Canadian PressPublished January 14, 2013 - 12:49am

No votes yet

VANCOUVER — Cory Schneider has waited much longer than a 113-day lockout for this chance.

For the first time in his pro career, the goaltender entered a Vancouver Canucks training camp as the go-to guy in goal, a role he has coveted since he entered the organization.

“It’s the culmination of my development,” the 26-year-old Schneider said Sunday. “This is where I need to be at my best. All this training — it’s about eight years now since I’ve been drafted — it’s all coming to fruition.

“Hopefully, it will all turn out the way I hope it will, and everything I’ve done to prepare for this moment will be worth it.”

Schneider displaced Roberto Luongo as Vancouver’s starter in training camp and is slotted for permanent No. 1 duty. Luongo, who said after the season that he would waive his no-trade clause, is attending camp amidst an uncertain future.

He is expected to be traded, with the Toronto Maple Leafs rumoured to be the most likely suitors.

Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault has refused to anoint a starter, but it’s clear the job is Schneider’s once Luongo’s future is determined.

Last summer, just before he was due to become a restricted free agent, Schneider signed a three-year, US$12-million contract extension.

“I’m not going to change who I am or what I do because of it,” Schneider said. “The mentality changes a little bit, but I’m just excited to play as many games as I can. Nobody likes sitting out, nobody likes sitting on the bench, but that’s been my job, and that’s what I’ve been asked to do that last few years — and I’ve done it.

“I just feel it’s time to make that next step, and I’m excited to do so.”

The Canucks chose Schneider, a Marblehead, Mass., native, in the first round (26th overall) of the 2004 NHL entry draft. But he spent three years at Boston College, another three years in the minors with Vancouver’s former top farm team in Manitoba, with occasional call-ups to the NHL, and two more seasons as Luongo’s understudy.

Last season, Schneider posted a 20-8-1 record, three shutouts, a 1.96 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in 33 regular-season games.

He feels like a much different goaltender than the one drafted as a teen.